SCOTT Gregory has rubbed shoulders with Major winners Jordan Speith and Justin Rose this season while preparing for his Masters debut (writes Andrew Griffin).

He also made his first appearance in the US Open and, last month, played a practice round at the Alfred Dunhill Links with Ryder Cup player Matt Fitzpatrick, who was still on the amateur circuit just four years ago.

This Friday, the Hampshire ace begins the hardest part of his new journey as a professional when he tees up at Desert Springs in Spain at the start of the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School.

Boosted by making his first cut on the full European Tour at St Andrews, having also finished in the top 20 in the pro-am competition, the 22-year-old from Waterlooville must finish inside the top 20 at Desert Springs – out of a field of 76 starters. A total of 310 golfers compete at four different venues over the weekend.

Gregory made the decision to turn pro after a steely Walker Cup debut against America at the Los Angeles Country Club.

But that decision was made without the backing of management offers and Gregory has had to work to find the sponsors he is likely to need should he end up with a Challenge Tour card.

If he were to make the 72-hole cut at the Almeira course, but fail to finish inside the top 25, he would get a high ranking on the Challenge Tour, which might earn him some starts on the main tour.

He would still be eligible to receive the seven invitations an amateur who has just turned pro can receive under European Tour rules in a first full season.

But without the support of one of the major golf management firms, such starts will be hard to come by.

Gregory is known to be one of the hardest-working young players in the game and he has been preparing thoroughly, using the facilities at Corhampton, where he has been a member for six years, and working with coach Simon Andrews at Portsmouth Golf Centre.

Gregory, who was named European Order of Merit winner on his amateur swansong, said before heading to Spain: “I’ve shot nine out of ten rounds under par as a pro and made two out of three cuts, meaning I’ve made a good profit in my first events to fund my winter if nothing else. Hopefully, I will get everything in place soon and be able to plan my winter better.

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds, starting in Spain this week.”